When You Give Today Our Friends at Lucid Diagnostics who make
will Match Every Gift Dollar-for-Dollar up to $10,000
How Your Generosity Fuels the Fight to End Esophageal Cancer
✔️ You Promote Early Detection by Sounding the Alarm that
Heartburn can Cause Cancer
Esophageal Cancer (EC) is the fastest-increasing cancer among American men – increasing more than 700% in recent years. Most Esophageal Cancer in the United States is caused by reflux disease – often thought of as heartburn. The diabolical part of this cancer is that it usually causes no symptoms until it has progressed to the point where treatment is unsuccessful. Only about one out of five people will survive five years after an Esophageal Cancer diagnosis. Sadly, in recent years we have seen about twice as many young people die of this devastating disease as in previous decades.
That’s why ECAN’s mission to let people know that heartburn can cause cancer is so important. When folks with reflux disease get checked and discover they have the condition that lays the groundwork for Esophageal Cancer to develop (Barrett’s Esophagus), that condition can be treated and eliminated – stopping Esophageal Cancer before it can start. But most Americans don’t know about the link between reflux and cancer. A nationwide survey ECAN commissioned found that only 14% were aware that reflux disease can cause cancer. That’s why our work to raise awareness is so important. Millions of Americans have Barrett’s Esophagus and don’t know it. Their risk of EC is 25 times higher than that of the general public.
✔️ You Add Millions Every Year for Esophageal Cancer Research
ECAN’s advocacy has increased the federal budget for important Esophageal Cancer research by nearly $20 million over the past four years – and we are poised to add millions more next year. ECAN’s advocacy laid the groundwork for the first FDA approval of immunotherapy for Esophageal Cancer patients by convincing the National Cancer Institute to include Esophageal Cancer in The Cancer Genome Atlas. The findings of that genome-mapping research resulted in Esophageal Cancer patients being included in clinical trials that had originally only been available to gastric cancer patients, including the trials that proved the value of immunotherapy for this group of patients.
✔️You Provide Clear, Up-to-Date, and Trustworthy Information to Help Patients Make the Best Decisions About Their Care
ECAN provides patients and families with trustworthy information about the best therapies and diagnostics available. ECAN’s live webinars allow patients to ask the nation’s top experts questions about the latest developments in Esophageal Cancer and Barrett’s Esophagus. The latest in research affecting our patients is shared on social media and on the ECAN website. In 2023, ECAN launched a series of online educational modules featuring animation and a series of interviews with experts and patients that provide viewers with a clear understanding of how Esophageal Cancer develops, is diagnosed, and treated. The series shares a strong message about the opportunity for the prevention of Esophageal Cancer by focusing on Barrett’s Esophagus. ECAN has long made a free downloadable Guide for Patients available in English and Spanish.
✔️ You Link Patients and Families to Useful, Compassionate Support
ECAN looks to support patients by being responsive to requests for assistance with information or connections to healthcare providers. Through strong partnerships, ECAN is also able to provide valuable support for patients. Our partnership with Savor Health allows us to share 24/7 nutrition support for patients with INA, the Intelligent Nutrition Assistant. Our partnership with Massive Bio means Clinical Trial Matching (and support throughout the process) is available for free to the ECAN community. Our partnership with Smart Patients means our community is welcomed into well-moderated online support forums in Esophageal Cancer and Barrett’s Esophagus.
ECAN Thanks
our Supporters for
Sharing Their Views
